How to delete a message in WhatsApp after a long time on Android?

How to delete a message in WhatsApp after a long time on Android - briefly?

To delete a message in WhatsApp after a long time on Android, follow these steps:

  1. Open WhatsApp and go to the chat where the message is located.
  2. Long-press the message until it's selected, then tap the trash can icon at the top of the screen.

How to delete a message in WhatsApp after a long time on Android - in detail?

Deleting an old message in WhatsApp on your Android device can be quite straightforward, though it's important to note that this feature has some limitations. As of now, you cannot delete messages older than 13 hours for everyone in a chat. However, you can still delete messages for yourself regardless of their age. Here’s how you can do both:

Deleting Messages for Everyone (Limited Time)

  1. Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your Android device.
  2. Select the Chat: Tap on the chat where the message you want to delete is located.
  3. Long Press on the Message: Find the message you wish to delete and press and hold it until a menu appears at the top of the screen.
  4. Delete for Everyone Option: From the menu, select the "Delete" option (represented by a trash can icon). If the message is within the 13-hour timeframe, you will see an additional option to "Delete for everyone". Tap on this option.
  5. Confirm Deletion: A confirmation dialog will appear. Tap on "Delete for everyone" to confirm.

Deleting Messages for Yourself (Any Time)

  1. Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your Android device.
  2. Select the Chat: Tap on the chat where the message you want to delete is located.
  3. Long Press on the Message: Find the message you wish to delete and press and hold it until a menu appears at the top of the screen.
  4. Delete for Me Option: From the menu, select the "Delete" option (represented by a trash can icon). Since this message is older than 13 hours, you will only see an option to "Delete for me". Tap on this option.
  5. Confirm Deletion: A confirmation dialog will appear. Tap on "Delete for me" to confirm.

Important Notes:

  • Time Limitations: Remember that the "Delete for everyone" feature is only available for messages sent less than 13 hours ago. After this period, you can only delete messages from your own device using the "Delete for me" option.
  • Group Chats: In group chats, all participants will see a notification that a message was deleted, even if it's older than 13 hours. However, they won’t be able to see the content of the deleted message.
  • Backup and Restore: If you frequently back up your WhatsApp data, note that deleted messages may still be present in your backup. To ensure complete deletion, consider not including such messages in your backups.

By following these steps, you can effectively manage old messages in WhatsApp on your Android device, ensuring your chat history remains clean and organized.